Suction pile equipment

ABSTRACT

Disclosed embodiments include a suction pile vent plug having a cylindrically-shaped body having a sealing element, a plurality of coupling features, and a handle connected to the cylindrically-shaped body. The sealing element is configured to form a watertight seal with walls of a suction pile vent into which the vent plug is installed. The plurality of coupling features are configured to engage with corresponding coupling features of the suction pile vent. The movable handle is configured to be moved into one or more locked configurations. Disclosed embodiments further include a suction pile vent having a hollow cylindrically-shaped body having coupling features. The coupling features are configured to engage with corresponding coupling features of a suction pile vent plug to thereby mechanically couple the suction pile vent plug to the suction pile vent. Disclosed embodiments further include a fluidic port that fluidically couples a suction pile to a removable fluidic coupling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/727,310, filed Sep. 5, 2018, the entire contents ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are part of the present disclosure and areincorporated into the specification. The drawings illustrate examples ofembodiments of the disclosure and, in conjunction with the descriptionand claims, serve to explain various principles, features, or aspects ofthe disclosure. Certain embodiments of the disclosure are described morefully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However,various aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in many differentforms and should not be construed as being limited to theimplementations set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like, but notnecessarily the same or identical, elements throughout.

FIG. 1A illustrates a first configuration of a suction pile duringinstallation, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a second configuration of a suction pile duringinstallation, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates a third configuration of a suction pile duringinstallation, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1D illustrates a fourth configuration of a suction pile duringinstallation, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates suction pile equipment installed on a top surface ofa suction pile, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a vent plug, in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the vent plug shown in FIG. 3, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a top view of the vent plug shown in FIG. 3, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4C is a side view of the vent plug shown in FIG. 3, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4D is an enlarged side view of coupling features of the vent plugshown in FIG. 3, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of a vent plug, in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of the vent plug shown in FIG. 5A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5C is a side view of the vent plug shown in FIG. 5A, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5D is an enlarged side view of coupling features of the vent plugshown in FIG. 5A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 6A is a three-dimensional view of a suction pile vent, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the suction pile vent shown in FIG. 6A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6C is a top view of the suction pile vent shown in FIG. 6A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of coupling features of the suction pilevent shown in FIG. 6A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 7A is a three-dimensional view of a latching and locking mechanismof a suction pile vent in a first configuration, in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7B is a three-dimensional view of a latching and locking mechanismof a suction pile vent in a second configuration, in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7C is a side view of a suction pile vent with installed vent plug,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7D shows a first configuration of the latching and lockingmechanism of FIGS. 7A and 7B, in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 7E shows a second configuration of the latching and lockingmechanism of FIGS. 7A and 7B, in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 7F shows a third configuration of the latching and lockingmechanism of FIGS. 7A and 7B, in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 8A is a three-dimensional view of a locking mechanism of a suctionpile vent, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a three-dimensional view of a first configuration of thelocking mechanism shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a three-dimensional view of a second configuration of thelocking mechanism shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a three-dimensional view of a third configuration of thelocking mechanism shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8E is a side view of a suction pile vent with installed vent plugand the locking mechanism of FIG. 8A, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8F is a cross-sectional view of a locked configuration of thelocking mechanism shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a side view of a suction pile vent with installed vent plug,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9B is a top view of a suction pile vent with installed vent plug,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the suction pile vent withinstalled vent plug shown in FIG. 9A, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view of the suction pile vent withinstalled vent plug shown in FIG. 9A, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9E is a cross-sectional view of the suction pile vent withinstalled vent plug shown in FIG. 9B, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9F is a cross-sectional view of the suction pile vent withinstalled vent plug shown in FIG. 9B, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 9G is a side view suction pile vent with installed vent plug in afirst configuration, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 9H is a side view suction pile vent with installed vent plug in asecond configuration, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 10A is a three-dimensional view of a vent plug parking receptacle,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 10B is a side view of the vent plug parking receptacle shown inFIG. 10A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 11A is a three-dimensional view of a fluidic port, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 11B is a top view of the fluidic port shown in FIG. 11A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 11C is a side view of the fluidic port shown in FIG. 11A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 12A is a three-dimensional view of a fluidic coupling, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 12B is an axial view of the fluidic coupling shown in FIG. 12A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 12C is a side view of the fluidic coupling shown in FIG. 12A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 13A is a three-dimensional view of a fluidic coupling installed ina fluidic port, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the fluidic coupling installed in a fluidicport shown in FIG. 13A, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 13C is a side view of the fluidic coupling installed in a fluidicport shown in FIG. 13A, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 13D is a top view of the fluidic coupling installed in a fluidicport shown in FIG. 13A, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 14A is a three-dimensional view of a plug, in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 14B is a three-dimensional exploded view of the plug shown in FIG.14A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 14C is a side view of a plug having a first configuration, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 14D is a side view of a plug having a second configuration, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 15A is a three-dimensional view of a parking receptacle, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 15B is a side view of the parking receptacle shown in FIG. 15A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 16A is an exploded side view of a suction pile vent with vent plugand testing equipment, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the suction pile vent with ventplug and testing equipment shown in FIG. 16A, in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure generally relates to suction pile anchors. Suction piles(also known as suction caissons) are fixed platform anchors that areused as anchors for offshore installations, oil platforms, oil drillingplatforms, etc. A suction pile is essentially a large cylinder that isclosed at one end. The structure is lowered to the ocean floor, with adownwardly facing open end, where the structure partially sinks intoocean-floor sediment of its own weight. Water is then pumped out of thestructure causing a negative pressure inside the structure. The negativepressure forces the suction pile into the seabed sediment whereby thesuction pile becomes strongly attached to the ocean floor and serves asan anchor. Once installed, the suction pile resists axial and lateralloads and may be used to secure mooring lines that are attached to thesuction pile at various load points.

FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate a process of installing a suction pile,according to one or more embodiments. FIG. 1A illustrates a suction pile102 above an ocean surface 104. Suction pile 102 is a hollow cylinderhaving an open end 106 facing the ocean surface 104, and a closed end106. The top of suction pile 102 may have various pieces of suction pileequipment 108 a and 108 b. As described in greater detail below, suctionpile equipment may include a vent 108 a that may be opened and closed.When open, vent 108 a may allow air and water to flow through suctionpile 102. Suction pile equipment may also include a port 108 b that maybe used to pump water out of suction pile 102 when suction pile 102 issubmerged, during later stages of the installation process.

Below the ocean surface 104 is a region of seawater 110 that is boundedbelow by various layers of material of the ocean floor. For example, theocean floor may include a layer of clay 112 and/or a layer of sand orgravel 114, which may be supported by bedrock 116. Suction pile 102 maybe lowered into the ocean by a crane 118 or other suitablelifting/positioning apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 1D, suctionpile 102 may be lowered into the ocean and may be forced into thepliable layers, 112 and 114, of the ocean floor, thereby becominganchored in such layers.

FIG. 1B illustrates a second configuration of suction pile 102 duringinstallation, according to one or more embodiments. In thisconfiguration, suction pile 102 is partially submerged with open end 106below the ocean surface 104 while the closed end 106 is above the oceansurface 104. In this configuration, as suction pile 102 is being loweredinto the ocean, vent 108 a may be placed in an open configuration. Inthis regard, air and/or water is allowed to flow through opened vent 108a as suction pile 102 is lowered into the ocean. In this configuration,port 108 b may be in an open or closed configuration. The configurationof vent 108 a and port 108 b may be maintained until suction pile 102has been fully lowered into the ocean and has come to rest on the firstpliable layer 112 of the ocean floor.

FIG. 1C illustrates a third configuration of suction pile 102 duringinstallation, according to one or more embodiments. In thisconfiguration, suction pile 102 has come to rest on the first pliablelayer 112 of the ocean floor. As shown, open 106 of suction pile 102 maypartially penetrate the surface of layer 112 due to its own weight. Inthe next stage of installation, vent 108 a may be closed to form awatertight seal. Water may then be pumped out of suction pile 102through port 108 b. A fluidic connection may be made between port 108 band a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) 120. In this example, a hose 122or other suitable fluidic conduit may be connected between port 108 band ROV 120. A pump on ROV 120 may be used to pump water out of suctionpile 102. Removal of water from suction pile 102 creates a negativepressure within suction pile 102. The presence of negative pressurewithin suction pile 102 allows the greater pressure of water external tosuction pile 102 to force suction pile 102 down into one or moresedimentary layers, 112 and 113, of the ocean floor, as shown in FIG.1D.

FIG. 1D illustrates a fourth configuration of suction pile 102 duringinstallation, according to one or more embodiments. In thisconfiguration, suction pile 102 has been forced down into layers, 112and 114, of the ocean floor due to negative pressure induced in suctionpile 102 by removal of water from suction pile 102, as described abovewith reference to FIG. 1C. In this configuration, hose 122 thatconnected port 108 b to ROV 120 (e.g. see FIG. 1C) has been removed andboth vent 108 a and port 108 b have been closed to form a watertightseal. In this configuration, a negative pressure may be maintainedwithin suction pile 102. As such, suction pile 102 may be firmlyanchored to the ocean floor and may be used as a mooring for offshoreinstallations, oil platforms, oil drilling platforms, etc., as describedabove.

FIG. 2 illustrates various pieces of suction pile equipment installed ona top surface 106 of a suction pile 102, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. Suction pile equipment may include one ormore vents, 202 a and 202 b, and corresponding vent plugs, 204 a and 204b. Suction pile equipment may further include one or more parkingreceptacles, 206 a and 206 b, that may be used to temporarily storerespective vent plugs, 204 a and 204 b, when respective vents, 202 a and202 b, are in respective open configurations.

Suction pile equipment may further include a support structure 208 thatsupports a fluidic port 210 and receptacle 214. Port 210 may beconfigured to receive a fluidic coupling 212 a (i.e., a hot stab) toallow water to be pumped out of suction pile 102, as mentioned above anddescribed in greater detail below. When water is not being pumped out ofsuction pile 102, port 210 may be closed by engaging with acorresponding plug 212 b (e.g., a dummy stab). Support structure 208 mayfurther include a parking receptacle 214 that may be configured to holdeither fluidic coupling 212 a or plug 212 b. A further embodiment vent216 is also shown in FIG. 2, as described in greater detail below.

In an example embodiment, vent 202 a may be a cylindrical structurehaving a 24 inch diameter, while vent 202 b may be a cylindricalstructure having a 12 inch diameter. Vents 202 a and 202 b may beaffixed to top surface 106 of suction pile 102 by welding. Vents 202 aand 202 b may be configured to be secured over corresponding holes (notshown) on surface 106 of suction pile 102. Vents 202 a and 202 b may beconfigured to be open or closed. In a closed configuration, vents 202 aand 202 b may be sealed with respective vent plugs 204 a and 204 b. Asdescribed in greater detail below, vents 202 a and 202 b, and respectivevent plugs 204 a and 204 b, have corresponding coupling features thatallow vent plugs 204 a and 204 b to be removably coupled to respectivevents, 202 a and 202 b.

When in a closed configuration, vent plugs 204 a and 204 b may provide awatertight seal to respective vents 202 a and 202 b. When in an openconfiguration, vents 202 a and 202 b may allow water and air to flowthrough suction pile 102. When in an open configuration, vent plugs 204a and 204 b may be stored in respective parking receptacles 206 a and206 b. Parking receptacles 206 a and 206 b are configured to be holdingdevices having cylindrical structures that are similar to cylindricalstructures of corresponding vents 204 a and 204 b. In this regard,parking receptacles 206 a and 206 b may have coupling features similarto those of respective vents 202 a and 202 b that allow vent plugs 204 aand 204 b to be removably secured to respective parking receptacles 206a and 206 b. Although this example describes two sets of vents (202 a,202 b), vent plugs (204 a, 204 b), and parking receptacles (206 a, 206b), other embodiments may be configured with only a single vent, singleplug, and single parking receptacle, or with greater numbers of vents,plugs, and parking receptacles.

In the above example, vents 202 a and 202 b are cylindrical structureshaving smooth cylindrical internal surfaces. In other embodiments, ventsmay be provided having various internal features. For example, vent 216may be provided with an interior cylindrical surface having anon-uniform diameter. Vent 216, for example, may have a first interiordiameter for a lower portion of the internal surface and a secondinterior diameter for an upper portion of the internal surface. Thefirst interior diameter may be slightly smaller than the second interiordiameter so that a cylindrical ledge (not shown) is formed at theboundary between the lower and upper portions of the internal surface.Vent 216, having such an internal seat, allows further components to beinstalled in vent 216. In an example embodiment, described below,additional components may be installed in vent 216 that allow diagnostictesting of the sealing properties of vent 216 when vent 216 is coupledwith a corresponding vent plug (not shown), as described below withreference to FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of a vent plug 300, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As described in greaterdetail below, vent plug 300 has a rubber O-ring seal 302, and aplurality of coupling features 304 a, 304 b, and 304 c. A furthercoupling feature is not shown in this view but is symmetrically placedwith respect to coupling features 304 a, 304 b, and 304 c. Vent plug 300has a movable handle 306 that may be used to mechanically install ventplug 300 in a corresponding suction pile vent, as described in greaterdetail below. Movable handle 306 may be locked in an uprightconfiguration, as shown, or may be movable side to side about an axisdefined by points at which movable handle 306 is secured to vent plug300. Vent plug 300 has a cylindrically shaped body 308 that isconfigured to be coupled within a corresponding cylindrically shapedinternal surface of a suction pile vent to thereby form a watertightseal with the vent.

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of vent plug 300 shown in FIG. 3, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In thisexample, vent plug 300 has a body 308 that is 24 inches in diameter thatis attached to a vent plug nose 402. Vent plug seal 302 is seated in agroove (not shown) in vent plug body 308. Handle 306 is moveablyattached to vent plug body 308. In this regard, handle 306 may beattached to coupling features 404 a and 404 b using screws 406 a and 406b, washers 408, nuts 410, or any other suitable fasteners. Handle 306may be locked in an upright configuration and secured with quick-releasespring-loaded pins 412. Pins 412 may be engaged with correspondingflanged bushings 414. Lanyards 416 may be provided to engage pins 412.Lanyards 416 may be attached to pins 412 on one end and secured tohandle 306 at another end with screws 418. Vent plug nose 402 may befastened to vent plug body 308 with screws 420, and washers 422 a and422 b.

FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of vent plug 300 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4A,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Vent plug300 may a distance 424 between opposite coupling features 304 a and 304c, and between opposite coupling features 304 b and 304 d. In thisexample, distance 424 may have a value of 24 and ⅜ inches. Otherembodiments may have other dimensions for comparable features.

FIG. 4C is a side view of vent plug 300 shown in FIG. 3, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Vent plug 300 may have adistance 426 between the bottom of vent plug nose 402 and the top ofcoupling features 404 a and 404 b. In this example, distance 426 mayhave a value of 12 and 15/16 inches. Vent plug 300 may have a distance428 between the bottom of vent plug nose 402 and the top of handle 306.In this example, distance 426 may have a value of 30 and 7/16 inches.Other embodiments may have other dimensions for comparable features.

FIG. 4D is an enlarged side view of coupling features 404 a of vent plug300 shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. As shown, a portion of handle 306 is secured to couplingfeature 404 a with screw 406 a, bushing 414, and nut 410. Spring-loadedpin 412 makes a removable mechanical connection between handle 306 andcoupling feature 404 a, thereby locking handle 306 in a verticalconfiguration.

FIG. 5A is an exploded view of a vent plug 500, in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the disclosure. In this example, vent plug 500has features similar to those found in vent plug 300 shown in FIGS. 3and 4A to 4D. In contrast to vent plug 300, described above, vent plug500 has a handle 502 that is configured to be locked in three separatepositions. For example, vent plug 500 may be locked in an uprightconfiguration (as shown in FIG. 5A) as was the case with vent plug 300.Vent plug 500 may further be locked on two horizontal configurations asshown in FIGS. 9G and 9H and described below with the relateddescription of methods of coupling of vent plug 500 to a suction pilevent (e.g., suction pile vents 202 a and 202 b of FIG. 1, and relatedexample vents described below).

Vent handle 502 is configured with coupling features 504 a and 504 b.Each of coupling features 504 a and 504 b has three holes that mayengage with pins 412 to secure handle 502 in respective positions. Forexample, coupling feature 504 b has holes 506 a, 506 b, and 506 c. Byturning handle 502 so that pin 412 engages hole 506 a, handle 502 may belocked in a first horizontal configuration. By turning handle 502 sothat pin 412 engages hole 506 b, handle 502 may be locked in a verticalposition. Similarly, turning handle 502 so that pin 412 engages hole 506c, handle 502 may be locked in a second horizontal configuration. Ventplug 500 is further configured with a seal having two O-rings 508 a and508 b. Other features illustrated in FIG. 5 that are not specificallydescribed are similar to features shown in FIG. 4A, as described above.

FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of vent plug 500 shown in FIG. 5A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Vent plug 500may a distance 508 between opposite coupling features 304 a and 304 c,and between opposite coupling features 304 b and 304 d. In this example,distance 508 may have a value of 24 and ⅜ inches. These dimensions aresimilar to those of vent plug 300 shown in FIG. 4B. Other embodimentsmay have other dimensions for comparable features.

FIG. 5C is a side view of vent plug 500 shown in FIG. 5A, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Vent plug 500 may have adistance 510 between the bottom of vent plug nose 402 and the top ofcoupling features 404 a and 404 b. In this example, distance 510 mayhave a value of 13 and ¾ inches. Vent plug 500 may have a distance 512between the bottom of vent plug nose 402 and the top of handle 502. Inthis example, distance 512 may have a value of 31 and ⅛ inches. Otherembodiments may have other dimensions for comparable features.

FIG. 5D is an enlarged side view of coupling features of vent plug 500shown in FIG. 5, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. As shown, a portion of handle 502, with coupling feature 504a, is secured to coupling feature 404 a with screw 406 a, bushing 414,and nut 410. Spring-loaded pin 412 makes a removable mechanicalconnection between coupling feature 504 a of handle 502 and couplingfeature 404 a, thereby locking handle 502 in a vertical configuration,or in one of the two horizontal configurations, described above.

FIG. 6A is a three-dimensional view of a suction pile vent 600, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In thisexample, suction pile vent 600 has a body 602 that is essentially acylindrical shell. Suction pile vent 600 has four coupling features. Inthis regard, suction pile vent 600 has four J-holes 602 a, 602 b, 602 c,and 602 d, and four corresponding braces 604 a, 604 b, 604 c, and 604 d.J-holes 602 a to 602 d, and braces 604 a to 604 d, are configured tocouple with corresponding coupling features of a vent plug. For example,vent plug 300 or vent plug 500 may be installed in vent 600 by loweringthe body of vent plug 300 or vent plug 500 into vent plug body 602 suchthat coupling features 304 a to 304 d, of vent plug 300 or 500, engagewith corresponding J-holes 602 a to 602 d of vent 600. Vent plug 300 or500 may then be twisted such that coupling features 304 a to 304 d moveinto respective J-holes 602 a to 602 d. Braces 604 a to 604 d thenprovide protection for coupling features 304 a to 304 d while vent plug300 or 500 is installed in suction pile vent 600.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the suction pile vent 600 shown in FIG. 6A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Suction pilevent 600 may have a height 606 measured along an axial direction ofsuction pile vent 600. In this example, suction pile vent 600 mayinclude a small tolerance 608 allowing for welding attachment of suctionpile vent 600 to a suction pile. For typical welding operations,tolerance 608 may be about 2 inches. A distance 610 between the top ofsuction pile vent 600 and a weld bead may greater than or equal to 22inches to avoid thermally induced warping of suction pile vent 600.Thus, in this example, height 606 may be greater than or equal to 24inches. Coupling features identified by circled region marked “A” aredescribed below with reference to FIG. 6D.

FIG. 6C is a top view of suction pile vent 600 shown in FIG. 6A, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Suction pilevent 600 may have a distance 612 between opposite braces 604 a and 604c, and between opposite braces 604 b and 604 d. In this example,distance 612 may have a value of 28.3 inches. Other embodiments may haveother dimensions for comparable features.

FIG. 6D is an enlarged view of coupling features of suction pile vent600 shown in FIG. 6A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. In this regard, FIG. 6D illustrates details of one J-hole(e.g., J-hole 602 a) and one corresponding brace (e.g., brace 604 a). Asshown, typical dimensions range from a fraction of an inch to severalinches. Other embodiments may have other dimensions for comparablefeatures.

FIG. 7A is a three-dimensional view of a latching and locking mechanism700 of a suction pile vent 701 in a first configuration, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Latching and lockingmechanism 700 may include a movable latch element 702 and a movable lockelement 704. FIG. 7A shows latching and locking mechanism 700 in aconfiguration in which latch element 702 is moved into a J-hole 706while locking element 704 is moved out of J-hole 706. A handle 708 maybe moved to rotate latching and locking mechanism 700 along a first axis710 to move latch element 702 out of J-hole 706, as described in greaterdetail below with reference to FIGS. 7D and 7E. Handle 708 may also bemoved to rotate latching and locking mechanism 700 along a second axis712 to thereby rotate locking element 704 into J-hole 706, as describedin greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 7B, 7E, and 7F. Oncelocking element 704 has been moved into J-hole 706, suction pile ventplug 714 may be locked in suction pile vent 701, as described in greaterdetail below.

FIG. 7B is a three-dimensional view of latching and locking mechanism700 of suction pile vent 701 in a second configuration, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In this configuration,handle 708 has been moved to rotate latching and locking mechanism 700along second axis 712 to thereby rotate locking element 704 into J-hole706. In this configuration, suction pile vent plug 714 may be locked insuction pile vent 701. Further details of the operation of latching andlocking mechanism 700 are described below with reference to FIGS. 7C,7D, 7E, and 7F.

FIG. 7C is a side view of suction pile vent 701 with installed vent plug714, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIGS.7D, 7E, and 7F show three configurations of latching and lockingmechanism 700. In this regard, FIGS. 7D, 7E, and 7F, respectively showtop cross-sectional views 716 a, 716 b, and 716 c, as defined bycross-sectional cut A-A indicated in FIG. 7C. Similarly, FIGS. 7D, 7E,and 7F, respectively show three-dimensional inset views 718 a, 718 b,and 718 c, which are similar to the three-dimensional views of FIGS. 7Aand 7B. In FIG. 7D both latching element 702 and locking element 704 arewithdrawn from J-hole 706.

Changing from the configuration of FIG. 7D to the configuration 7E maybe performed as follows. Handle 708 may be moved to rotate latching andlocking mechanism 700 about first axis 710 to thereby rotate latchingelement 702 into J-hole 706. In this regard, FIG. 7E is similar to FIG.7A after the above-described operation has been carried out. Next,changing from the configuration of FIG. 7E to the configuration of FIG.7F may be performed as follows. Handle 708 may be moved to rotatelatching and locking mechanism 700 about second axis 712 to therebyrotate locking element 704 into J-hole 706. The result of theabove-described two operations is to render latching and lockingmechanism 700 in the configuration shown in FIG. 7F. In thisconfiguration, suction pile vent plug 714 may be locked in suction pilevent 701.

FIG. 8A is a three-dimensional view of a locking mechanism 800 of asuction pile vent 802, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. Locking mechanism 800 has a retractable pin 804 with ahandle 806. Retractable pin 804 is configured to be slidably movablewithin a support structure 808. Support structure 808 has twosemi-circular cut regions 810 a and 810 b. In this example, pin 804 isshown in a configuration in which it is engaged within J-hole 706 whichacts to lock suction pile vent plug 714 in place. Retractable pin 804may be withdrawn from J-hole 706 by moving handle 806 to rotate pin 804so that handle 806 become disengaged from semi-circular cut 810 b ofsupport structure 808. Handle 806 may then be moved to slide pin 804 outof J-hole 706. The reverse operation of moving pin 804 into J-hole 706is described below with reference to FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D.

FIG. 8B shows locking mechanism 800 in a retracted configuration withhandle 806 rotated slightly to not be engaged with cut region 810 a, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 8C showshandle 806 after it has been moved to a second position in which pin 804is engaged with J-hole 706. Handle is still held in a rotatedconfiguration and is not engaged with cut region 810 b in FIG. 8C. InFIG. 8D, handle 806 has been rotated to engage with cut region so thatpin 804 is engaged with J-hole 706 in a locked configuration. In afurther embodiment, pin 804 and handle 806 may be spring loaded so thathandle remains engaged in cut region 810 b in a locked configuration,that resists rotation of handle 806.

FIG. 8E is a side view of suction pile vent 701 with installed vent plug714 and locking mechanism 800 of FIG. 8A, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 8E defines a cross-sectional sliceas indicated by the section D-D.

FIG. 8F is a cross-sectional view of a locked configuration of thelocking mechanism shown in FIG. 8A, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. The cross sectional view of FIG. 8F isdefined by section D-D of FIG. 8E. FIG. 8F shows pin 804 fully engagedwithin J-hole 706 and touching an edge 811 of suction pile vent plug714. In this configuration, coupling feature 304 a is confined on oneside by an edge 812 of J-hole 706 and on another side by the presence ofpin 804 making contact with edge 811. In this way, coupling feature 304a is held in a locked position. As such, suction pile plug 714 is lockedto suction pile vent 701.

FIGS. 9A to 9F show various views of suction pile vent 701 withinstalled vent plug 714, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure. FIG. 9A shows a side view, and FIG. 9B shows a top view,of suction pile vent 701 with installed vent plug 714. Thecross-sectional views of FIGS. 9C and 9D are defined by the section E-Eshown in FIG. 9A. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 9E is defined by thesection F-F, and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 9F is defined by thesection G-G, shown in FIG. 9B

FIG. 9C illustrates details of suction pile vent 701 with installed ventplug 714, and defines an inset region H that is enlarged in the view ofFIG. 9D, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.As shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, for example, vent plug 714 is configured tomake close contact with walls of suction pile vent 701 to thereby form awatertight seal between vent plug 714 and vent 701. Vent plug 714 has abody 308 and a vent plug nose 402 as also shown, for example, in FIGS.4A and 5A. Vent plug nose 402 has open channels that allow water to makecontact with a convex surface 902 of vent plug body 308. The curvedconvex surface 902 of vent plug body 308 distributes forces due to waterpressure much like an arch distributes load forces in a bridge.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, suction pile vent 701 mayhave a first region 904 having a first interior diameter and a secondregion 906 having a second interior diameter. The first interiordiameter of first region 904 may be slightly smaller than the secondinterior diameter of second region 906 so that a cylindrical ledge (orseat) 908 is formed at the boundary between the first 904 and second 906regions of the internal surface. As mentioned above, the presence of thecylindrical ledge 908 allows diagnostic testing equipment to beinstalled to test the integrity of the seal formed between suction pilevent 701 and vent plug 714, as described in greater detail below withreference to FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 9D shows an enlarged view of the detail region H of FIG. 9C showinglatching and locking mechanism 700 and O-rings 508 a and 508 b, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In thisexample, vent plug 714 is similar to vent plug 500 of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 9E shows another cross section view that emphasizes details of thelocking mechanism for handle 502 described above with reference to FIG.5A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Thisview shows a cross-sectional view of coupling features 404 a and 404 bof vent plug body 308 respectively engaging coupling features 504 a and504 b of handle 502. As described above with reference to FIG. 5A,handle 502 may be locked in various positions when pins 412 are engagedwith respective holes in coupling features 504 a and 504 b of handle502. Further details of this locking mechanism are shown in FIG. 9F, asdescribed below.

FIG. 9F shows a cross-sectional view of pile vent 701 with installedvent plug 714 that is rotated about a vertical axis relative to thecross-sectional view of FIG. 9E, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 9F shows handle 502 in a verticallocked configuration. Coupling feature 504 b is shown in a configurationin which holes 506 a and 506 c are visible. Hole 506 b is obscured fromthis view because, in the vertical locked position (shown), hole 506 bis engaged with pin 412 of coupling feature 404 b.

FIGS. 9G and 9H present side views suction pile vent 701 with installedvent plug 714 in respective first and second configurations, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 9G showshandle 502 locked in a first horizontal configuration and FIG. 9H showshandle 502 locked in a second horizontal configuration. The side viewsof FIGS. 9G and 9G are rotated slightly about a vertical axis withrespect to the orientation of handle 502 shown in FIG. 9F. Thisorientation shows side views of coupling features 504 a and 504 b, whicheach have holes 506 a, 506 b, and 506 c. In the first horizontalconfiguration of FIG. 9G, hole 506 a is visible while hole 506 c isobscured from view in that hole 506 c is engaged with pin 412 (alsoobscured in this view). In the second horizontal configuration of FIG.9H, hole 506 c is visible while hole 506 a is obscured from view in thathole 506 a is engaged with pin 412 (also obscured in the view).

FIG. 10A is a three-dimensional view of a vent plug parking receptacle1000, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.Parking receptacle 1000 has a cylindrically shaped body 1002 and hascoupling features that are configured to engage with correspondingcoupling features of a suction pile vent plug. For example, parkingreceptacle 1000 may include J-holes 1004 a, 1004 b, 1004 c, and 1004 d.As described above, parking receptacle 1000 may be configured to hold avent plug while a corresponding suction pile vent is in an openconfiguration. Parking receptacle 1000 may have one or more additionalholes 1006 to allow water to flow through parking receptacle 1000 whilea suction pile plug is secured to parking receptacle 1000. Parkingreceptacle 1000 may be welded to a top surface 106 of a suction pile, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 10B is a side view of vent plug parking receptacle 1000, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. As shown,parking receptacle 1000 has a height 1008 and a diameter 1010. In anembodiment, height 1008 may be 14 inches and diameter 1010 may be 24inches. Other embodiments may have other dimensions for comparablefeatures.

FIG. 11A is a three-dimensional view of a fluidic port 210, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Fluidic port210 has a coupling structure 1102 and a fluidic conduit 1104. Asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 2, coupling structure 1102 offluid port 210 may be configured to engage with fluidic coupling 212 a(i.e., a hot stab), or with plug 212 b (i.e., a dummy stab). Details offluidic coupling 212 a and plug 212 b are provided below with referenceto FIGS. 12A to 14D. Coupling structure 1102 may include couplingfeatures such as J-holes 1106 a, 1106 b, 1106 c, and 1106 d that may beconfigured to engage with corresponding coupling features of fluidiccoupling 212 a or with plug 212 b, as described below.

FIG. 11B is a top view of the fluidic port shown in FIG. 11A showingdetails of coupling structure 1102, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. This top view shows that fluidic port hasan inner diameter 1108. In this example, diameter 1108 may be 3 inches.Other embodiments may have other dimensions for comparable features.Coupling structure 1102 may include a flange 1110 and various mechanicalfasteners 1112. Flange 1110 may be configured to couple with a topsurface of a support structure, such as support structure 208 describedabove with reference to FIG. 2. For example, a body portion 1114 (e.g.,see FIG. 11A) of coupling structure 1102 may be configured to fitthrough a hole in support structure 208 while a diameter of flange 1110may be larger than the hole in support structure. In this way, flange1110 may be fastened to a top side of support structure 208 to therebysupport fluidic port 210.

FIG. 11C is a side view of fluidic port 210 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In thisview, fluidic port 210 is shown in an installed configuration. In thisregard, coupling structure 1102 is attached to, and supported by supportstructure 208. As described above, flange 1110 may be fastened tosupport structure 208 using a plurality of fasteners 1112. In thisconfiguration, fluidic conduit 1104 may be attached to a top surface 106of a suction pile (e.g., suction pile 102 of FIG. 2). Fluidic conduit1104 may be configured to make a fluidic connection between suction pile102 and coupling structure. As described above with reference to FIG. 2,a fluidic coupling 212 a (i.e., a hot stab) may be coupled to port 210to provide a fluidic path for water to be pumped into or out of suctionpile 102. According to an embodiment, an ROV 120 (e.g., see FIG. 1) maybe equipped with fluid pumps and may provide the fluidic coupling 212 athat may engage with port 210 to pump water into or out of suction pile102.

FIG. 12A is a three-dimensional view of a fluidic coupling 212 a, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Fluidiccoupling 212 a is configured to couple with port 210 (e.g., see FIGS. 2and 11A to 11C). In this regard, fluidic coupling 212 a has acylindrical body 1202 and a pointed nose cone 1204. Fluidic coupling 212a has a fluidic inlet 1206 and various apertures 1208 that form afluidic outlet. When coupled to port 210, fluidic coupling 212 a isconfigured to allow fluid to flow from inlet 1206 into the body 1202 offluidic coupling 212 a and out through apertures 1208. When coupled withport 210, fluid flowing out through apertures 1208 may be routed throughcoupling structure 1102 of port 210 and then through conduit 1104 andeventually into suction pile 102 (e.g., see FIGS. 2 and 11A to 11C). Therole of inlet and outlet may be reversed, however, when pumping fluidout from suction pile 102. Fluidic coupling 212 a may also have handles1210 a and 1210 b. Handles 1210 a and 1210 b may be used to positionfluidic coupling 212 a into port 210.

FIG. 12B is an axial view of fluidic coupling 212 a, in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure. This view shows couplingfeatures 1214 a and 1214 b that are symmetrically placed relative tohandles 1210 a and 1210 b. Coupling features 1214 a and 1214 b may beconfigured to engage with corresponding coupling features of port 210,such as J-holes 1106 a to 1106 d of port 210, described above withreference to FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12C is a side view of fluidic coupling 212 a, in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure. This view shows the relativeplacement of handles 1210 a and 1210 b, cylindrical body 1202, inlet1206, apertures 1208, and coupling feature 1214 b. Correspondingcoupling feature 1214 a is not shown in this view as it is geometricallyopposite to coupling feature 1214 a.

FIGS. 13A to 13D show various views fluidic coupling 212 a installed influidic port 210, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. FIG. 13A is a three-dimensional view, FIGS. 13B and 13C areside views, and FIG. 13D is a top view. In each of FIGS. 13A to 13D,handles 1210 a and 1210 b, coupling structure 1102, nose cone 1204 andconduit 1104, are shown. FIGS. 13B and 13C also show coupling featuresof port 210 and fluidic coupling 212 a. In this regard, FIGS. 13B and13C show J-hole 1106 a of port 210 and FIG. 13C shows coupling feature1214 b of fluidic coupling 212 a.

FIG. 14A is a three-dimensional view of a plug 212 b, in accordance withone or more embodiments of the disclosure. Plug 212 b is configured toengage with fluidic port 210 (e.g., see FIGS. 2 and 11A to 11C) whenfluidic port 210 is not being used to pump water into or out of asuction pile. Plug 212 b is configured to fit into fluidic port 210 andto form a watertight seal with port 210. In this regard, plug 212 b mayinclude O-rings 1402 a and 1402 b that may engage with walls of fluidicport 210 to thereby form a watertight seal. Plug 212 b may furtherinclude one or more coupling features 1404 a. Coupling features, such ascoupling feature 1404 a, may engage with corresponding coupling featuresof port 210 to secure plug 212 b in port 210. Plug 212 b may furtherinclude a handle 1406. Handle 1406 may be used to move plug 212 b intoposition or to remove plug 212 b from engagement with port 210. Further,handle 1406 may be used to twist plug 212 b about an axial direction torotate coupling features into and out of coupling features (e.g.,J-holes 1106 a to 1106 d) of coupling structure 1102 of port 210.

FIG. 14B is a three-dimensional exploded view of plug 212 b shown inFIG. 14A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.Plug 212 b (e.g., also known as a “dummy stab”) may include a ventedhandle 1406 and a vented body 1408. Together, vented handle 1406 andvented body 1408 allow plug 212 b to breath while prohibiting marinelife from entering port 210 through plug 212 b. Plug 212 b may furtherinclude a lock bar 1410. When inserted into a through-hole 1412 of plugbody 1408, lock bar 1410 may extend through plug body 1408 and protrudeslightly from opposite sides of plug body. The protruding ends of lockbar 1410 may then serve as coupling features that may engage withcorresponding coupling features of port 210, as described above. Whenassembled, lock bar 1410 may be held by fasteners that may include ascrew 1416, a spring lock washer 1417 a, and a flat washer 1417 b.

Plug 212 b may further include a pneumatic muffler 1414 that may act toreduce vibrations that may otherwise cause wear and tear of plug 212 b.As mentioned above, plug 212 b may include two rubber O-rings, 1402 aand 1402 b, which form a watertight seal between plug 212 b and walls ofport 210. In an alternative embodiment, plug 212 b may include a pigtailhandle 1418.

FIG. 14C is a side view of plug 212 b having a first configuration, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Theembodiment of FIG. 14C includes vented handle 1406. In this view, endsof lock bar 1410 (e.g., see FIG. 14B) are shown protruding from oppositeends of plug body 1408. Protruding ends 1404 a and 1404 b may serve ascoupling features, as mentioned above. Dimensions of plug 212 b in FIG.14C are indicated by distances D1, D2, D3, and D4. In this example,distances may take values including D1=22.1 inches, D2=7 and ⅞ inches,D3=6 inches, and D4=7 and ½ inches. Other embodiments may include otherdimensions for comparable features.

FIG. 14D is a side view of plug 212 b having a second configuration, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In thissecond configuration, plug 212 b may include pigtail handle 1418,described above with reference to FIG. 14B. Pigtail handle 1418 may becharacterized by a distance D5. In this example, this distance may havethe value D5=6 and ⅞ inches. Other embodiments may include otherdimensions for comparable features.

FIG. 15A is a three-dimensional view, and FIG. 15B is a side view, ofparking receptacle 214, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe disclosure. Parking receptacle 214 may be configured to hold fluidiccoupling 212 a (e.g., see FIGS. 2, 12A, 12B, and 12C) or plug 212 b(e.g., see FIGS. 2, 14A to 14D). Parking receptacle 214 is a cylindricalstructure that may be welded to support structure 208 (e.g., see FIG.2). Parking receptacle 214 may be characterized by a height 1502 and adiameter 1504. In this example, height 1502 may be 11 and ¼ inches, anddiameter 1504 may be configured to fit a hole in support structure 208having a diameter between 6 and ¼ inches to 6 and ⅜ inches. Otherembodiments may include other dimensions for comparable features.

FIG. 16A is an exploded side view of suction pile vent 701 with ventplug 714 and testing equipment 1602, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. Testing equipment 1602 includes acircular disk 1604 that is configured to be placed into suction pilevent 701. Equipment 1602 further includes hoses 1606 a and 1606 b,valves 1608 a and 1608 b, and a pressure gauge 1610. Once placed withinvent 701, circular disk 1602 is configured to form a watertight sealwith the walls of vent 701.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the suction pile vent 701 withvent plug 714 and testing equipment 1602, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. In this view, testing equipment. Testingequipment 1602 is configured to be supported by cylindrical ledge 908(e.g., see FIG. 9C and related description above). Circular disk 1604 isconfigured to form a watertight seal with cylindrical ledge 908. A testof the degree to which vent plug 714 forms a watertight seal withsuction pile vent 701 may be performed using testing equipment 1602, asfollows.

Once testing equipment 1602 has been installed as shown in FIG. 16B,vent plug may be installed in suction pile vent 701, as described above.Water may then be pumped into a space 1610 formed between circular disk1604 and vent plug 714 using hoses 1606 a and 1606 b. Valves 1608 a and1608 b may then be closed to keep water in 1610. Pressure gauge 1610 maybe used to measure pressure of the water enclosed in space 1610. Waterpressure will decrease over time if there are any leaks between ventplug 714 and suction pile vent 701. The absence of a pressure decreaseindicates that a watertight seal between vent plug 714 and suction pilevent 701 exists.

Conditional language, such as, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainimplementations could include, while other implementations do notinclude, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, suchconditional language generally is not intended to imply that features,elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or moreimplementations or that one or more implementations necessarily includelogic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whetherthese features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to beperformed in any particular implementation.

The specification and annexed drawings disclose examples of suction pileequipment. The examples illustrate various features of the disclosure,but those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many furthercombinations and permutations of the disclosed features are possible.Accordingly, various modifications may be made to the disclosure withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit thereof. Further, other embodimentsof the disclosure may be apparent from consideration of thespecification and annexed drawings, and practice of disclosedembodiments as presented herein. Examples put forward in thespecification and annexed drawings should be considered, in allrespects, as illustrative and not limiting. Although specific terms areemployed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only,and not used for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suction pile vent plug, comprising: acylindrically-shaped body having a generally hollow interior, thecylindrical-shaped body including: a sealing element disposed about anexterior surface of the cylindrical-shaped body configured to form awatertight seal with walls of a suction pile vent; and a plurality ofcoupling features extending from the exterior surface of thecylindrical-shaped body configured to engage with corresponding couplingfeatures of the suction pile vent; and a convex-shaped surface disposedwithin and across the hollow interior of the cylindrical-shaped bodyconfigured to make contact with water in the suction pile vent; and ahandle connected to the cylindrically-shaped body.
 2. The suction pilevent plug of claim 1, further comprising: a disk-shaped nose configuredto be mounted to the cylindrically-shaped body.
 3. The suction pile ventplug of claim 1, wherein: the disk-shaped nose comprises fluid channelsthat allow fluid to make contact with the convex-shaped surface disposedwithin the hollow interior of the cylindrically-shaped body.
 4. Thesuction pile vent plug of claim 1, wherein: the handle is a movablehandle hingedly connected to the cylindrically-shaped body.
 5. Thesuction pile vent plug of claim 1, further comprising: one or morespring-loaded pins that engage with holes in the handle to thereby lockthe handle in the one or more locked configurations.
 6. The suction pilevent plug of claim 1, wherein: the handle may be locked in one of avertical configuration, in a first horizontal configuration, or in asecond horizontal configuration.
 7. The suction pile vent plug of claim1, wherein: the coupling features comprise one or more protrusionsextending from the exterior surface of the cylindrically-shaped body inone or more respective directions perpendicular to an axial direction ofthe cylindrically-shaped body, and wherein the coupling features areconfigured to mechanically engage with slots or J-holes of the suctionpile vent.
 8. The suction pile vent plug of claim 1, wherein: thesealing element comprises one or more O-rings disposed about theexterior surface of the cylindrically-shaped body.
 9. The suction pilevent plug of claim 1, wherein: the handle is configured to allowpositioning of the suction pile vent plug into and out of the suctionpile vent; and to allow suction pile vent plug to be twisted to therebyengage the coupling features with corresponding coupling features of thesuction pile vent.
 10. A suction pile vent, comprising: a hollowcylindrically-shaped body having coupling slots configured to engagewith corresponding coupling features of a suction pile vent plug tothereby mechanically couple the suction pile vent plug to the suctionpile vent, each coupling slot including: a downward portion extendingthrough a sidewall of the hollow cylindrical body from an upper edge ofthe hollow cylindrical body; and a lateral portion extending through asidewall of the hollow cylindrical body, the lateral portion extendingfrom a lower end of the downward portion around a portion of a peripheryof the hollow cylindrical body; locking members movable from a positionoutside of each coupling slot to a position within each of the couplingslots.
 11. The suction pile vent of claim 10, wherein the couplingfeatures further comprise braces configured to protect coupling featuresof the suction pile vent plug.
 12. The suction pile vent of claim 10,wherein the hollow cylindrically-shaped body is configured to be weldedto a surface of a suction pile.
 13. The suction pile vent of claim 10,further comprising: an internal surface comprising: a first regionhaving a first internal diameter; a second region having a secondinternal diameter, wherein the first internal diameter is smaller thanthe second internal diameter so that a cylindrical ledge is formed at aboundary between the first and second regions of the internal surface.14. The suction pile vent of claim 10, wherein the locking members eachcomprise: a pin that is configured to be slidably moved in a directionperpendicular to an axial direction of the suction pile vent.
 15. Thesuction pile vent of claim 10, wherein the locking members each furthercomprises a latching and locking mechanism comprising: a latchingelement; and a locking element, wherein the latching and lockingelements are configured to be separately moveable by rotation aboutrespective axes.
 16. The suction pile vent of claim 15, wherein: thelatching and locking elements are configured to engage with couplingfeatures of the suction pile vent and with coupling features of thesuction pile vent plug to mechanically couple the suction pile vent plugto the suction pile vent.